Description
This Parmesan Lemon Chicken recipe features tender, boneless chicken breasts coated in a flavorful mixture of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and lemon zest, then pan-fried to a golden crisp. The bright citrus from fresh lemon juice adds a refreshing finish, making it an easy, delicious main course perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or Italian-style)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Finishing and Garnish
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness if needed to ensure they cook evenly. This step helps prevent overcooking or undercooking parts of the breasts.
- Mix coating ingredients: In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In another bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper thoroughly to create the coating mixture.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat each piece with the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating well.
- Heat the skillet: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and unsalted butter over medium heat until the butter melts and starts to bubble but not brown.
- Cook the chicken: Add the coated chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes per side. Cook until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Add lemon juice: Just before removing the chicken from the pan, squeeze fresh lemon juice over each breast to infuse bright citrus flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and serve the chicken warm alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- Serve with roasted vegetables, a crisp salad, or over pasta for a complete meal.
- For extra lemon flavor, add additional lemon zest to the coating or serve with lemon wedges on the side.
- Chicken thighs can be used as an alternative; adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked.
